Air-method cleaning and dusting tool



March 19, 1935.

D. B. REPLOGLE Filed July 24, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 19, 1935. i p. B. REPLoGLE 1,994,869

AIR METHOD CLEANING AND DUSTING TOOL Filed July 24,-1950 2 Smeets-shew 2 3fm/manto@ V Rap/0G /ej a@ I /WJ Patented Mar. 19, 1935 AIR-METHOD CLEANTNG- AND DSTING TooL Daniel Benson Replogle, Berkeley, Calif., as-

signor to Citizens Trust Company, Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, as trusteeA ApplicationjJuly 24, 1930, Serial N0. 470,511

l 24 Claims.

The invention relates to cleaning and dusting tools, and more particularly to pneumatic suction cleaning tools of the type known commercially luider the registered trade-mark Air-Way. Such tools are adapted to be attached to the ends of pipes used in connection with either stationary or portable pneumatic cleaning machines, and

more particularly in connection with apparatus of the type illustrated in my Patent 1,533,271, dated April 14, 1925.

The present application is in the nature of an improvement on the device disclosed in my prior Patent 1,403,524, dated January 17, 1922. In common with the cleaning tool covered by this patent, the present invention relates to a suction tool, having a body composed of resilient elastic material, which body portion includes a shank having a portion thereof shaped and adapted to be connected at one end to a suitable suction pipe or nozzle, as shown in my Patent 1,533,271, and having at its other end a mouth portion which may be used directly for cleaning or dusting purposes, but which is adapted to receive a dusting or application member of suitable construction.

The cleaning tool is provided with a passageway which opens into the shank portion and which is provided with a reduced throat portion Vconnecting the mouth and the shank portions thereof. It has been found in practice that when excessive pressure is applied to the tool during use, there is a tendency for the rubber shank to collapse or bend at this reduced portion, and according to the present invention, this defect is overcome by providing a reinforcing rib or ridge extending longitudinally of the shank to compensate for the reduced portion.

Another feature of the present invention isv the shape of the rubber end of the shank which is placed over the suction tube of the cleaning apparatus. This tube or nozzle, as disclosed in my prior Patents 1,403,524 and 1,533,271, may be either round or at. According to the present invention the end of the shank which is applied to the suction tube is normally oval-shaped, and consequently ts readily over a round or fiat tube, the material of which the shank is made being sufficiently deformable for this purpose.

Another feature of the present invention is thev provision of a pocket in the mouth of the body.

member, which pocket is provided with resilient Walls or ribs which when forced apart and the application member forced therein grip the ap- Vplication member sufficiently tightly to detachably retain the same within the mouth. As to this feature the present application contains matter in common with my application Serial No. 15,529, filed March 14, 1925.

The novel form of the dusting tool constitutes another feature of the invention. Other features will appear hereinafter.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to theV accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, setting forth a specific embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View illustrating one form o-f the tool in use, the tool being applied to a round suction pipe, and the application member comprising a hollow `element. of substantially frusta-conical form to the mouth of which a soft fabric cover is applied;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the tool with the body and application members assembled ready for use;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the body member;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 5 is a View looking into that end of the rubber shank ofthe tool to which the suction pipe is to be applied;

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of the appli cation member, shown in assembled position in Figs.. 1 and 2, the mesh cover being removed;

Fig. 7 is an axial sectional View of the same;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the silken netting or fabric cover which is adapted to be assembled with the application member shown in Figs. 6 and 7;

Referringparticularly to Fig. 1, A denotes a suction pipe or tube of any desired type, but preferably one of the vdetachable extension members of a cleaning apparatus such as is shown in my Patent 1,533,271, and B the hollow body portion of an application tool, which is detachably connected to the suction pipe. At the mouth of the body member an application member C is detachably applied. For the purpose of illustration the tool is shown in use for removing dus from a cushion D.

The hollow body B of the application tool is made of resilient elastic material, preferably rubber, and comprises a sha'nk portion 10, to the end 11 of whichthe suction pipe A is applied, and a mouth portion 12 connected to the shank through an intermediate throat portion 13. As shown, the axes of the shank and mouth portions are substantially at right angles to each other.

The shank 10 is preferably provided with a strengthening bead or lip 14, at the end of which the handle is applied, and as shown in Fig. 5, its end is neither round nor flat, but oval, thus permitting the shank to be readily applied to either a round or nat suction pipe. A round pipe A is shown in Fig. 1, but the same shank conforms itself equally as well to a flat tube or nozzle, such as that disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,403,524, due to the resilience and elasticity of the material of which it is composed. The stiffening bead or lip 14 insures an air-tight t.

Since pressure must be applied to the pipe A when the tool is in use, there was a tendency in the device disclosed in mypatent for the kshank to bend or collapse. The collapsing tendency was increased by the suction within the tool. To avoid this tendency I have, according to the present embodiment of the invention, provided a strengthening rib 15, herein Shown as extending longitudinally along the upper surface of the shank, and being of greatest thickness adjacentv the throat of the tool. This rib eifectively overcomes the bending or collapsing Vtendency of the shank. n As shown, the mouth 12 of the body member the insertion of the bead or flange 20,-will r-rnly but detachably grip the bead and prevent accidentalremoval or loss of the application member.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8, the application member includes the hollow element 21 substantially frusto-conical in form, preferably composed of phenolic condensation product, fiber or other similar material, provided with the bead 20 at the upper portion for cooperation with the groove 18 in the body B, as above described, and provided also with a lower flaring skirt portion, preferably reinforced at intervals by suitable strengthening ribs 22. A bead 23 is formed at the lower extremity of the skirt.

A fabric mesh cover 24, shown in detail in Fig. 8, is then applied to the conical member. The cover provides a soft, exible, porous undersurface, which engages furniture or other articles being cleaned without marring the same, and permitting fine particles of dust to pass through the mesh of the fabric, while preventing passage of larger particles. Such a cover renders the tool useful in cleaning smooth surfaces, as Well as for cleaning small articles Which'might be drawn into the suction handle were it not for the fine mesh cover, which cover acts as a lter. The cover may be composedof any suitable mesh material, depending on the size particles it is de.- sired to have pass therethrough. Preferably-material of soft, silken texture is employed. The cover is readily attached to the conical member 21 by drawing the mouth of the cover over the bead 23 and detachably securing the parts together by any suitable means, as a rubber elastic band 25.

The invention has been described in detail for'y the purpose of illustration, but itwillbe apparent thatmany modincations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be apparent that the body member'of the tool, shown in Fig. 3, may be used for cleaning purposes without the additional application member, the bead 19 serving for attachmentof a mesh fabric hood if desired. Furthermore, other application members than that specifically disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with the body member, other forms particularly adapted for this purpose being disclosed in my companion application Serial No.' 550,786, filed July 14, 1931.

What is claimed is:

1. In a suction cleaner of the character described, an open-mouthed rubber application head, an annular groove in said application head opening into the interior thereof, a pair of spaced annular ribs integral with said application head Yforming the walls of Said groove, said ribs constraining toward each other when forced apart, and an application member comprising a skirt having a peripheral bead adapted to be forced into said grooved and detachably held by said resilient walls. Y'

f 2. In a suction cleaner of the character described, an open-mouthed elastic rubber application head, an internal groove in said application head opening into the throat thereof. having spaced annularresilient integral walls comprising ribs yconstraining toward each other whenl forced apart, and an application member comprising a skirt having a peripheral bead-adapted to be forced into said groove in said application head and detachably held by said resilient ribs, said bead extending externally only of said skirt portion. f `3. An application member mounting for a suction cleaner dusting tool, comprising a body of resilient material having a passageway there-L through, said body formed with a portion 'opening into said passageway adapted to engage ai removable suction tube and with an annular pocket opening into-said passageway forminga seat, parallelly extending spaced integral walls in said body defining said seat, an application inember'having aperipheral bead extending externally only and adapted to be positioned in said seat,

and a flaring skirt projecting beyond vthe body member. J

, 4. A suction'cleaning tool comprising an elastic rubber body with contractible openends one end for securing it to the open end of a suction tube and the other end having a pair of like continuous internal ribs separated by an interior pe" ripheral groove, an open-,centered application member havingv a peripheral ange at one endl and the other'end having a pair of like internal` ribs separated by anv interior peripheral'groove, and an application member 'comprising a flaring skirt having a peripheral bead `extending externally onlyof said skirt and adapted for engagement within said peripheral groove.

6. A suction cleaning tool comprising anel'astic rubber body with 'contractible open ends, one end serving for attachment to the open end of a suc` tion tool, and the-other having a pair of like ir.-

ternal ribs separated by an interior groove, a` portion of said body extending belowethe lower of said internal ribs, an external reinforcing ribV at the lower edge of said downwardly extending portion, and an application member having a' cot4 bead extending externally only and a flaring skirt portion extending beyond the reinforcing rib of said body member.

7. A suction cleaning tool comprising a resilient rubber body including a hollow shank portion of normally oval cross section adapted to be connected to a suction pipe, and a hollow head portioni having a mouth facingat an angle to the shank, a restricted neck portion connecting the shank and head portions of the tool, and an external rib extending along the' shank and neck portions on the side opposite the mouth, said rib being of greatest thickness adjacent theinarrowest portion ofthe neck.

S. A suction cleaning tool comprising a resilient rubber body member, including a shank portion adapted to be connected to. asuction handle, a mouth portion substantially at right angles to the shank portion for securing an application element, a narrow throat connecting said shank and mouth portions, and a longitudinal rib on the exterior of said shank portion on the side opposite the mouth, said rib being thickest adjacent the narrow throat portion of the tool, whereby binding or collapsing of the shank on application of pressure to the tool when in use is prevented.

9. A suction cleaning tool comprising a resilient rubber body member having a hollow shank adapted to be detachably secured to a suction pipe, a portion of said body being bent at an `angle to form a head portion, and a restricted neck at the juncture between the shank and head portions, there being a reduced portion on the exterior of said shank to form the neck and a longitudinally extending external reinforcing rib on the side or" the shank opposite the reduced portion, said rib being thickest adjacent the reduced portion to prevent collapsing of the shank on the application of pressure to the tool.

l0. A suction cleaning tool comprising a hollow elastic rubber body with contractible open ends, one end serving for attachment to a suction tube, and the other end comprising a mouth portion having a pair of internal ribs separated by a groove, and an application member adapted to be detachably secured thereto, having an external bead adapted to t within the groove in said mouth portion and comprising a skirt portion flaring outwardly beyond said bead, said body member having a flaring portion extending below the lower of said internal ribs for engagement with the flaring surface of said application member.

il. A suction cleaning tool comprising a hollow body including a shank portion adapted to be detachably secured to a suction handle, a hollow application member communicating with said body and extending at an angle to said shank, said application member including a skirt flaring outwardly and having an external bead at the expanded end thereof, and a mesh fabric hood secured over said bead and covering the expanded end of the application portion of the tool.

l2. A suction tool comprising a hollow resilient body having an internally grooved mouth portion and an application member adapted to be detachably secured thereto, said application member having an exterior bead adapted to nt within the groove in said mouth, and including a skirt portion haring outwardly below said bead, a mesh cover having its limit edges secured to a continuous elastic band, said band holding the cover in direct contact with the application end of said member.

13. A Ysuction cleaning tool comprising a hollow flexible body member having a shank adapted to be detachably secured to a suction. handle and a `mouth at the opposite-end thereof having an annular internal groove, and an application lmember having a bead for engagement with'said groove,` said application member having a Vskirt portion haring outwardly below said bead.

14. An application tool comprising a hollow body including a flaringskirt portion having a mouth at the enlarged end thereof, an external bead surrounding said mouth, and a cover for said enlarged end comprising a soft mesh fabric hood retained in direct contact with the margins of the mouth of said tool, said cover having a neck portionfitting closely over said external bead, andmeans detachably retaining said cover in position.

15. An application tool comprising a hollow body including a haring skirt portion having an annular external bead surrounding the enlarged open end of the tool, and a cover for said enlarged end comprising a mesh fabric hood retained in direct contact with the margin of said open end, a neck portion of said cover extending over said bead, and a continuous elastic band secured to said neck for detachably retaining said cover in position.

16. An application tool for suction cleaners, comprising a hollow body of generally frustroconical form, having a flaring skirt portion, the interior of which is convexly curved, and an external annular bead at the larger end of the tool, a soft mesh fabric cover for the end of the tool, and elastic means retaining the edges of said cover over said bead.

17. An application tool for suction cleaners, comprising a hollow body of generally frustroconical form, having a flaring skirt portion, the interior of which is convexly curved, said skirt having correspondingly curved reinforcing ribs extending intermediate the ends of the tool.

18. An application tool for suction cleaners, comprising a hollow body of generally frustroconical form, having a flaring skirt portion, the interior of which is convexly curved, said skirt having correspondingly curved reinforcing ribs extending intermediate the ends of the tool, and a pair of annular external beads, one adjacent each end of the tool.

19. An application tool for suction cleaners, comprising a hollow body having a flaring skirt, a pair of annular beads one adjacent each open end of the tool, and reinforcing ribs for said skirt member extending intermediate the beads.

20. A suction cleaning tool comprising a hollow flexible body member having a shank adapted to be detachably secured to a suction handle, a portion of said body extending at an angle to said shank and provided with a mouth, an annular groove being formed in said mouth, and an application member having a bead for engagement within said groove, said application mem- Yber having a skirt portion flaring outwardly below said bead.

21. An application element for the mouth of a cleaning tool comprising a hollow body of substantially frusto-conical form, an attachment flange adapted to secure it at its smaller end to the mouth of a suction tool, an external bead formed on the larger end of the tool, and a hood made of soft mesh fabric fitting over and covering the larger beaded end, and serving as a filter over the face of said tool.

22. A suction cleaning tool comprising a hollow flexible body member having a shank adapted to be detachably secured to a suction handle, a portion of said body extending at an angle to said shank and provided with'a mouth, an annular groove being formed in said mouth, an application member having la bead for engagement Within said groove, saidapplication member having a skirt portion flaring outwardly below said bead, and a mesh fabric secured atthe lower end of said skirt portion.

23. In a suction cleaning tool comprising a body portion having an internally grooved mouth, an application member, said application member comprising a hollow body of substantially frusto-conical form having an annular bead at the upper portion thereof. for engagement with said grooved mouth,'a skirt flaringdownwardly and outwardly belowk the beaded portion and a' soft fabric mesh cover for the lower opening, detachably secured to the skirt member.

24. A suction tool comprising a hollow resilient body having an internally grooved mouth portion andan application member adapted to be detachably secured thereto, said application member having an exterior bead adapted to iit with the groove in said mouth, and an external reinforcing .beadon said body member below said internal groove, said application member comprising a skirt portion aring downwardly below said bead, and having Haring, reinforcing ribs, and a mesh cover for the application end of said application member.

DANIEL BENSN REPLOGLE. 

